I live in a modest house in a trendy neighborhood. I say trendy because ramblers built in the 1960s are coming down all around me and being replaced by mega manses. My mailbox is full of nice little notes from builders offering to buy “as is” and take every iota of stress and strain off my shoulders. All I have to do is walk out the door and I’ll have a hefty pile of cash in my pocket. I’m guessing when they drove by to take a look and possibly a picture, they saw an old, white-haired lady and thought to themselves that it can’t be too long. I’m staying put!

HUGE HOUSES

In a cavernous house on a postage stamp lot

One of the kids had an interesting thought

That he wanted to share with his kith and his kin

Who lived in the house but were nowhere within

The uppermost range of the human voice

And taking a hike was not a good choice.

And so, to conserve on his time and his labor,

He opened a window and talked to his neighbor.

OPPORTUNISTS

They are hovering around me.

In their eyes, are dollar signs.

They hope I’ll be included

In their year-end bottom lines.

And then they send me letters

To persuade me that I should

Sell my modest residence

In a trendy neighborhood.